RYAN MASON got his first gig since announcing his retirement – as a TV pundit.
The former Hull and Tottenham midfielder called Aston Villa’s home game with Preston in the Sky Sports studio on their Gillette Soccer Special show.
Mason, 26, called it a day last week as a result of medical advice after fracturing his skull in a collision with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill in January 2017.
Mason told Sky Sports show that he was coming to terms with his decision but admitted that he could not turn his back on a coaching job with Spurs after Mauricio Pochettino left the door open.
Mason said: “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind – it’s been crazy. I’ve had a lot of messages and it’s been a lot to take in.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
“I’ve been quite positive throughout and I’m looking to the next chapter now.”
“It’s difficult (to accept). For the last year I’ve been working as hard as I can to get back on a football pitch.
“But when you’re long-term health comes into it then it’s a lot easier. There is more to life than football.
“I spent so long at Spurs that it’s my club. If I was to become a good coach then that would be by DNA with the way they play and the way they go about things.
“So hopefully I can go down that road and we’ll see what happens.”